I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Order of Masks has been one of my highly anticipated releases of the year, and it certainly lived up to my expectations and hopes and so much more!! I literally don't understand why more people aren't talking about it because it's brilliant!

The Order of Masks is told by Mira's and Scarlet's povs. I have to say, it was so refreshing to tell a romantasy through the eyes of two ambitious, highly traumatized, and stabby female characters who have their own goals and desires! I loved this element! Now, do I have a favorite? Yes, I do, and it's Mira!

Mira makes a lot of mistakes but she learns from them, and to be honest, she isn't left with many choices every step of the way. She makes the best call she can, given the circumstances. She is a young woman who still learns the world, herself, her magic, her limits and her desires, and is torn between revenge and freedom. How can she be free if she still lives every second in the worst moment of her life? How can anyone not want revenge when everything is stolen from you? Mira is so humane, so relatable, and I rooted for her every step of the way!!

Scarlet was also a great main character! She also makes tons of mistakes, and I actually respected both girls for backtracking sometimes. They make a call, it doesn't give them results, so they choose a different way. She is a very resourceful young woman, and someone who has survived a lot. However, she allies herself with someone who is so rotten, and while she doesn't have any other ally to align herself with, she should at least recognize that she is rotten. That was my petpeeve with Scarlet. Not that she had many allies to pick, but at least, be honest with whom you align....

The plot along with strong characterization were probably the best elements of the book. So many characters were ambitious and ruthless, and yet so desirable and likeable (to different degrees!), and most of them were the definition of STABBY. I never knew who was going to betray whom! Would x betray y, or would y betray x, or would they betray each other, or would they see the light of not betraying anyone lmao? I never knew what was going to happen, and it was so thrilling!!!!

Readers are definitely in for a wild, bumpy, and stabby ride that also happens to have some spice! The Order of Masks has a sexy, alluring vibe, and I loved it!!

I loved The Order of Masks, and I can't wait for the sequel!!!

I confess that I picked this up with medium expectations. I think the blurb might have also been a little misleading - I've come across a handful of people saying they're giving this a pass because they don't really like circus/carnival settings. I'm also not particularly partial to this setting but regardless, it's such a minimal part of the plot, it made me wonder why it was mentioned in the blurb at all. There are so many other, far more important, elements and events to liken it to and it ultimately really surprised me by how gripping and nicely thought out this whole book was - it is definitely one I see myself recommending to friends.

I really enjoyed the world building and this was quite a court intrigue and politics heavy book. There is the Ravalian Empire that has invaded and taken control of most of its neighbours - on the surface, it looks as though the different cultures have been absorbed and integrated in a way that makes it look like a peaceful rule, but the Emperor is ruthless and rebels are quickly taken care of. This is where the dual POV becomes interesting; we have two main characters from different sides and there are so many dynamics around this shared narration.

Mira, although an ordinary girl, has spent her life on the run with her mother and they largely get by with performing arts. She decides to compete in the trials that could allow her to join one of the empires three orders, elite fighters, which she hopes would grant her mother safety and stability in her own life. On the other end, we have Scarlett, illegitimate Princess of Ravalia. She grew up with her ever scheming brothers who try to get rid of her as much as anyone else. She also grew up under her mother's teachings who is determined to see Scarlett on the throne as well as awaken her potential for magic.

Both Mira and Scarlett have spent their life fighting for safety and control despite their different backgrounds and motivations. But as things start to go wrong, both find themselves in a position where their goals - or rather their desire for revenge - align. This leaves so much room for them to either become rivals or enemies, and there is so much back and forth throughout the novel, it makes it hard to decide who to cheer for. I found both Scarlett and Mira likeable main characters and I'd love to see both succeed but it always seems to come at the others cost. Both along with the majority of the cast dip into morally grey territory as both do what they must to survive. There is so much betrayal, mistrust and just outplaying each other, I was at times rather reminded of Game of Thrones.

I want to add that this is a very, very solid four star rating which I might bump higher depending on where the sequel takes us. What hasn't quite convinced me yet is the romance, and this is by no means due to a lack of writing. There are multiple options as to how this series could turn out romance wise and I find that none of the potential pairings were strong enough for me to guess how the author wants to wrap this up. The initial love interests are quite obvious from the start but with all the betrayals, I feel like anything still goes. The two initial love interest combinations were a little boring to me, so romance wise I felt more invested once other options started to look like a possibility.

This first instalment ends on a strong note, but one that leaves anything resembling relationships - romance and otherwise - in shatters. Regardless of which characters end up together, there's going to have to be a lot of mending before anything can happen. I know which outcomes I'd like, both in terms of romance and friendships, but I am not confident in any direction. As such, I am indeed looking forward to seeing what the sequel as in store. I would argue that the focus is more on politics and fantasy than on the romance, so even if my preferred romance options don't come to pass, I would still consider this a very strong book.

Title: The Order Masks
Author: Alina Bellchambers
Pages: 498
Rating: 3/5

Publish date - 12th December 2024

"𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒚. 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆. 𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄. 𝑽𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆.

𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐭-𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭, 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫. 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧: 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐞."

The description had me hooked and I had to read it!!

This was a very heavy, intense read. Exciting, descriptive and emotive.

I sometimes struggle with morally grey characters so I found myself not rooting for anyone in particular. However, I loved reading the manipulation, the betrayal and twist and turns of the storyline.

The politics was so intense! This is definitely a high stake read, so if you're fancying my usual cosy chick lit fantasies then this is not the read for you.


I was sad when it ended so abruptly and I can't wait to read the next one in the series.
You'll love this book if you like
- morally grey main characters
- politically charged fantasy
- court politics
- young adult fantasy
- trials
- high stake fantasy

Tropes : High stakes, court politics and intrigue, multiple POV, multi morally grey characters, high stakes.

The Order of Masks by Alina Bellchambers had me completely captivated; once I was reading I couldn’t put it down. It's been a while since I encountered a story filled with court politics and political intrigue where I genuinely questioned whom to trust at every turn. The first half of the book does a fantastic job of establishing the characters, making the stakes feel incredibly high when the exposition unfolds in the second half. Even though I anticipated the betrayal revealed in the cliffhanger, the way the story is written makes you truly feel the weight of the loss.

Every character we encounter is deeply and morally grey, which enhances the story's high-stakes atmosphere with added complexity and depth. With each chapter, I found myself reflecting on the characters, constantly shifting my opinions on whether I liked or disliked them. While this might pose an issue for some readers, I truly appreciated this aspect in this book. The romance in the book serves more as a background element rather than the main focus, which I believe fits this story perfectly. At this stage, I can genuinely say that Mira could end up with either of her options or choose none at all, and I wouldn’t be too bothered by it. Although, if the Prince is the end-goal I want an entire books worth of grovelling.

The world-building and magic system were crafted exceptionally well, with a perfect pace throughout. After finishing this book, I can't help but feel that there is so much more to look forward to in the sequel!

Overall, I feel as if this is such an easy to read Fantasy fuelled with genuine High Stakes and complex, morally grey characters that keeps you guessing until the final pages. I can’t wait to read book two and see where our characters end up!

I tried, but the rotating POVs and jumping timelines just didn't suit me. There are readers out there who will love this, but sadly I'm not them. I will recommend this to readers of fantasy adventure and it will find its home.

The Order of Masks by Alina Bellchambers is the start of a new fantasy series, and the characters must choose between duty and desire.
 
In this book we follow two different women who come from different worlds. Mira grew up on the go and as a trickster and she is barely making ends meet when she gets the opportunity to compete in a competition that would change her life. She takes this chance and m makes the best of it and that’s what I loved about her. She is a chameleon and bon vivant and I was always intrigued to read her chapters.
 
The other heroine is Princess Scarlett who is sick of the royal court and its politics. She is strong and intelligent and greatly underestimated and that was quite sad to see but Scarlett keeps her chin up and that’s what I liked about her. She becomes a supporter of Mira and sees the opportunity to change things for the better.
 
I loved how we followed two strong and determined women and they had to face a lot of obstacles and danger and the plot was very suspenseful and I couldn’t put this book down. The combination of court intrigue, secrets, and forbidden romance with a dash of magic made a wonderful combination and this was such an enjoyable read. I can’t wait for the sequel and to dive more into the magic system.
 
If you’re looking for a fantasy novel with high stakes and strong female characters, check out this one. 4 stars.
 
(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an arc.)

I really enjoyed the beginning of the book, particularly the trial aspect, which set up an intriguing premise. The world-building was clear and easy to follow, and the characters had strong initial foundations. However, as the story unfolded, I found myself disconnecting from both Mira and Scarlett. Neither of their romantic arcs captured my interest, and by the end, I wasn’t invested in either of them.

With Scarlett, I could understand her need to be guarded because of her family, but instead of growing or finding a way to move beyond her circumstances, she seemed to dive deeper into a dark, almost villainous path that felt a bit overdone. Mira had more potential for redemption, but her character didn’t receive enough development to fully shift my opinion of her.

I did appreciate the two different perspectives and how the plot wove their stories together. The character dynamics were interesting, and the way their journeys connected was well done. That said, the beginning felt a bit overwhelming due to the sheer amount of characters and information introduced at once. Once the story settled into a more manageable pace, it was easier to follow.

Unfortunately, the writing style didn’t quite resonate with me, though I think others might enjoy it more. The book's unusual formatting was also a bit distracting at times, pulling me out of the story. Despite these issues, I see a lot of potential in the series, and I’m still interested in reading book 2 to see how things develop.

Thank you SO much for my e-ARC!

Unfortunately, I was not hooked at all by the writing. However, that is just a personal thing and I believe others would love this book.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Wow what a page turner! I absolutely devoured this!what a great read! Loved the writing and the multidimensional characters!this was my first book but can't wait to read more! Definitely recommend!

The Order of Masks by Alina Bellchambers dives into a world of intense courtly drama and dangerous secrets. Mira, a circus performer, and Scarlett, a princess, are pulled together by deadly Trials that reveal dark truths and plot twists around every corner. The dual perspectives bring depth to both women as they navigate power struggles and family betrayals, with a refreshing focus on their growth and resilience rather than just the Trials.

This book captivated me with its layered characters and clever political games. If you’re a fan of fantasy with complex plots, morally ambiguous players, and a dash of romance, this one is for you!

Smooth multi-character fantasy, though the story revolves around two females in particular. A tale of table turning political intrigue. Nice character mix, good use of magic to pull the story along. I found the beginning a little unbelievable and somewhat rushed. But the main part of the story was entertaining reading. Who will remain to rule? Choose your friends wisely and don’t believe everything you are told. Because some people can’t be trusted to look out for anyone’s interests except their own. Then again others maybe can. And between these two, well there are a story lies. There is definitely more of the story to come in a future book. I look forward to that. Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC

A fantastic start to a new series. If you've missed a fantasy with deadly trials this is your sign. For anyone who loved the competitions in Powerless, try The Order of Masks. I really enjoyed the book and the characters. There were so many morally grey people in the book and that's always interesting. Highly recommend!

In the cut-throat Ravalian Court, alliances shift like sand, and seduction often precedes murder. The Order of Masks immerses readers in a world where survival is uncertain, and only the most cunning will prevail.

Circus performer Mira has lived a life on the run, determined to secure her future by competing in the deadly Trials to win a place in one of the three magical royal Orders. Meanwhile, Princess Scarlett grapples with her half-brothers’ sinister ambitions as she seeks to seize power. Mira presents an intriguing opportunity for Scarlett—a dangerous outsider poised to disrupt the very foundations of the Court.

As Mira and Scarlett navigate a glittering realm of magic, court intrigue, and forbidden romances, they must confront whether they are allies or rivals in a treacherous bid for the throne. With high stakes that threaten everything—including their lovers—Mira and Scarlett’s journey is filled with tension and unpredictability.

I was captivated by the well-developed characters and intricate world-building, where magic intertwines with politics. The author expertly balances plot and character development, ensuring that the romance enhances rather than overshadows the fantasy elements. With its medium pacing and high-stakes scenarios, this book is a thrilling read that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Read more at The Secret Bookreview.

An interesting range of characters, I liked the two perspectives of the women and the plot connecting them together was well done. Personally I found the beginning a little confusing as there was a lot of people and information, but it settled into its pace.

3.5 stars - fantasy with a small amount of romance.

Told from two Povs:
Mira, a circus worker who is on the run with her mother for unknown reasons enters “the trials” to become part of one of three orders in the ruling kingdom. The orders protect the kingdom with warriors and seers but will what her mother is running from affect her chances to compete?

Princess scarlet is the princess of the ruling kingdom - with two brothers competing to be future rulers and her mother training her to win. Scarlet has recently returned from death with a mysterious gift.

I really enjoyed the beginning part of the book and the trial aspect. The world was easy to understand and the characters had some solid foundations. However, I found as the story continued, I found both Mira and Scarlett unlikeable and I didn’t root for neither romance. With regards to Scarlet, I understood why she acted why she did constantly having to be on her guard from her own family, but instead of turning herself around she went full on evil dark mode. Mira was slightly more likeable and was on her way to redeeming herself but didn’t have enough development to sway my mind back.

The romance felt flat to me and in the end I was actually more rooting for Cassius and Mira over Aric if Cassius had been slightly nicer. I’m not 100% if this is supposed to be adult or YA but only one or two mild spicy scenes and wished for more romance/ genuine love interests.

Overall, I would still recommend the book if you prefer more plot and world over the romance aspect and if you don’t mind morally grey characters who are more black than grey!

I LOVED this book. I didn't want to put it down. I can't wait to buy myself a physical copy of this book and i'm so excited for the next book in the duology.

I'd highly recommend reading this book.

if you like magic, courtly politics, trials, betrayal and everything in between you will LOVE this one!

absjdjdjd i don’t know what to say without spoilers, but this book was definitely fantasy-y & vibey!

also i *will* be needing a family tree bcos this royalty thingy is messyyy (& i’m also surviving on not enough sleep to the extent that i thought someone was marrying their half(?)-brother ANYWAYS)

but this book was so much fun to read! it had short chapters, which is one of my fave things to find in a book and two strong female leads, both which i love in their unique way!

thank you netgalley for the arc!

3.75 / 5

A very politically intriguing story, I love the perspectives and how they were woven together. It’s a fun, easy fantasy read that kept me guessing the entire time and for that part it was easy to read in one sitting and I couldn’t really put it down.

The trials were a very short part of this book, lasting maybe 15 chapters in the middle and there isn’t a lot of romance in the beginning 250 pages of this book, in the traditional sense. We are following two girls and we have like the smallest of crumbs from one of them surely these get extended in book two. It becomes a love hexagon. I feel like you could remove 100 pages and this book would be incredible, I think some chapters are filler and unnecessary in my opinion and the pace is weird for me. I kind of wanted Mira and Scarlett to work together but nonetheless that was never happening. Everyone is morally gray. And some actions infuriated me a lot. Like chapter 61….

That last line is certainly something!

This was so good!! It's been a long time since I read a court intrigue fantasy with genuinely high stakes, and this book surprised me in the best possible way. I could not put it down!

The protagonists of The Order of Masks are Mira and Scarlett, whose fates intertwine in political machinations, struggles for their own legacy, vengeance, and love. I don't want to say too much about the actual story because this book is so dense that it might be better to start it knowing less rather than more. The plot does take some time to really get going, as the author focuses on setting up the characters and establishing the stakes. Some might find this exposition a bit too long, but it's truly worth pushing through because the rest of the book is so rewarding that it more than makes up for it.

What the author did particularly well is creating a story where the stakes feel genuinely high. This is achieved by throwing morally gray characters into the thick of court intrigue, leaving us never quite sure what to expect from them. There are no easy solutions or situations where no one loses. Death and betrayal lurk at every turn and are very real threats to both Scarlett and Mira. Not only the main characters, but everyone around them lies, cheats, and has no qualms about murder. Reading it gave me a similar feeling to A Game of Thrones—nothing is certain, and anyone can be as much an ally as an enemy. The novel is also exceptionally well-written, with romance, a fascinating magic system, and well-crafted worldbuilding.

I'm so glad I picked up this book, and I will definitely continue the series. I highly recommend it to anyone who feels that political fantasy is missing genuinely high stakes and a good balance between characters, worldbuilding, and plot.

I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I wasn't expecting to to enjoy it as much as I did.
But it had me hooked, and I ended up flying through this.
A very fun read!